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IBM Collaborates with India`s NPTEL to Launch a Free Blockchain-based Course for Indian Students

 

On June 19 of this year, a free 12-week online course on blockchain architecture, design and uses was launched by the American technology ‘heavy weight’ IBM in partnership with India`s National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL). NPTEL acknowledged the value of blockchain technology while noting Upwork`s Skills Index for Q1 2018 which identified “blockchain skills” as the most “in-demand skillset in the technology industry.”

Reports suggest that many countries and organizations across the globe are launching blockchain technology-powered and blockchain-related projects, even as demand for blockchain technology-related skillsets is experiencing an upward surge. A case in point is the new blockchain-based educational initiative recently launched in India`s Tamil Nadu state.

 

India`s NPTEL coordinator Andrew Thangaraj has stated that he believes this newly launched blockchain course which was brought about as a result of a collaborative effort is the first in this “genre and will encourage more companies to come forward to do the same.”

 

There are indications that though the Asian country has been cautious about opening its doors to cryptocurrency dealership, it seems to be more welcoming of blockchain technology. The newly introduced distributed ledger technology-based course appears to be the first of its kind, at least for the field of education. This collaborative effort between industry and academia is intended to cover diverse components of blockchain such as security, possible use-cases for blockchain technology exploration, fundamental design and system structure.

 

This online course is free in so far as coursework/tution is concerned. Fees will however be charged for both an online examination and a certificate to be issued after successful completion of the course. The maiden enrollment for this online course commences next month – July, 2018. Enrollment for the online course is open not only to Indian`s and individual resident in India; individuals from across the globe are permitted to sign up for this course on condition that such individuals will avail themselves for an offline final exam to be conducted in selected Indian cities. The course content is intended and structured to develop participants` theoretical and practical blockchain technology-related competences.

 

Blockchain technology has been traditionally associated with cryptocurrency platforms. However in recent times the technology is enjoying widespread acceptability and use-cases; it has made its way into sectors such as logistics, business process management, education and IoT.

 

According to professor Sandip Chakraborty of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, “The popularity of blockchain has moved from cryptocurrency to business applications across many industries such as insurance, finance, supply chain logistics, digital identity, healthcare and public sector.”

 

Chakraborty worked closely with Praveen Jayachandran, IBM`s Technical Manager of Smart Contracts and Blockchain in developing this innovative online course. Jayachandran has reportedly stated: “IBM’s collaboration with India’s leading academic minds to create a blockchain curriculum is a reflection of our commitment to enabling the technology to realize its full potential, while also addressing the increased demand for adequate skills for students and developers.”

 

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